diff --git a/autoload/airline/extensions/branch.vim b/autoload/airline/extensions/branch.vim
index fe926f18..e747ca61 100644
--- a/autoload/airline/extensions/branch.vim
+++ b/autoload/airline/extensions/branch.vim
@@ -140,4 +140,5 @@ function! airline#extensions#branch#init(ext)
 
   autocmd BufReadPost * unlet! b:airline_file_in_root
   autocmd CursorHold,ShellCmdPost,CmdwinLeave * unlet! b:airline_head
+  autocmd User AirlineBeforeRefresh unlet! b:airline_head
 endfunction
diff --git a/plugin/airline.vim b/plugin/airline.vim
index 9a0f7b2a..a8129205 100644
--- a/plugin/airline.vim
+++ b/plugin/airline.vim
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ function! s:airline_theme(...)
 endfunction
 
 function! s:airline_refresh()
-  unlet! b:airline_head
+  silent doautocmd User AirlineBeforeRefresh
   call airline#load_theme()
   call airline#update_statusline()
 endfunction